Guide
Mining subsidence claims
By Structural Repairs UK · Updated 2026-11-09
A mining subsidence claim is a request for repairs or compensation when old or current mine workings have caused the ground under a property to move. For coal mining, claims go to the Mining Remediation Authority, formerly the Coal Authority, or the responsible mine operator, and you should tell your home insurer as well.
What is mining subsidence?
Mining subsidence is ground movement caused by underground mine workings, as old tunnels, seams or shafts collapse or settle and the ground above moves. It can show as cracking, tilting or distortion of a building, and occasionally as a sudden hole where an old shaft or mine entry gives way. Coal mining is the most widespread cause in Great Britain, but other kinds of mining and extraction have caused subsidence in particular areas, and those are handled differently.
How do I know if my property is in a coalfield?
You can check whether a property is in a coalfield area using the Mining Remediation Authority’s online information and maps, or by ordering a mining report, often as part of the searches when buying. The main coalfields are listed below. Being in a coalfield does not prove a property is affected. Many homes in coalfield areas have no mining problems at all, and cracks in a coalfield house can still come from clay, drains or other causes.
- South Wales
- Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire
- Northumberland and Durham
- The Midlands
- The Scottish coalfields
What should I do if I suspect mining damage?
If you suspect mining damage, record it, report it and hold off permanent repairs. Photograph cracks with a ruler in shot, note dates and widths, and keep watching for change. Contact the Mining Remediation Authority to make a claim for coal-mining damage, or the responsible operator if one exists, and tell your home insurer as well. If a hole appears in the ground, or you see signs of an old shaft, keep people and pets away and report it to the Mining Remediation Authority straight away.
How does a coal-mining subsidence claim work?
A coal-mining subsidence claim usually starts with a claim form, followed by an inspection and investigation to decide whether coal mining caused the damage. That can include checking mine records, examining the building and sometimes monitoring it. If the claim is accepted, the responsible body will usually arrange or pay for repairs to put the damage right. Timescales vary with the investigation. Ask for decisions and reports in writing, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What about other types of mining?
Claims for damage from other types of mining are handled differently from coal. Damage from old metal, stone, chalk, salt or other workings is not usually handled by the Mining Remediation Authority, and the route depends on the mineral, the area and whether anyone is still responsible. Salt and brine extraction in parts of Cheshire has its own arrangements. In many cases the home insurer is the first route, subject to the policy terms. Your insurer, a solicitor or a surveyor can advise on the right route.
Does my home insurance cover mining subsidence?
Home insurance may cover subsidence from mining, subject to the policy terms, but policies vary, and some exclude damage another body is responsible for. Tell your insurer anyway, because they will want to know and may coordinate with the Mining Remediation Authority or operator. The subsidence excess is commonly about £1,000, but check your schedule. Do not assume one route will pay. Keep both informed and let them agree who handles the claim before permanent repairs start.
How are mining subsidence repairs carried out?
Mining subsidence repairs follow a schedule agreed with whoever is handling the claim. Common repairs include crack stitching and making good at a guide £80 to £180 per metre of crack, ground stabilisation or re-levelling by resin injection at about £800 to £1,500 per metre of wall, and underpinning where an engineer specifies it at about £1,000 to £3,500 per metre. These guide prices include VAT, vary by region and access, and are confirmed in writing after a survey. Pricing an engineer’s repair schedule is free to request.
Questions about this guide
Is there a time limit for mining subsidence claims?
There can be time limits on claims, and they depend on the type of mining and the rules that apply, so report suspected damage as soon as you notice it. Check the current rules with the Mining Remediation Authority for coal mining, or with your insurer or a solicitor for other mining. Delay can make the cause harder to prove.
Can I use my own contractor for a mining damage repair?
Sometimes, but agree it with whoever is handling the claim first, because they need to approve the scope and cost. Do not start permanent repairs before that is agreed. We can price to your loss adjuster’s or engineer’s schedule, and pricing a repair schedule for a claim is free to request.
Does a mining report on a house mean there is a problem?
No. A mining report sets out the recorded mining history around a property, such as past workings, shafts or claims. Many reports show recorded workings with no effect on the house. Your solicitor or surveyor can explain what a particular report means for a purchase, and whether any further checks are worthwhile.